Stark On Wigginton, Lopez, Atkins, Lee

Unlike the Red Sox and Rockies, who may try to avoid making a trade to replace their injured infielders, the Phillies are "trying like hell" to find an infield bat, writes ESPN.com's Jayson Stark. Stark breaks down the Phillies' options and shares some Cliff Lee rumors in a new blog entry:

Enough teams are interested in Ty Wigginton that the Orioles can be patient in their attempts to get maximum value for him. The Phillies, on the other hand, need an infielder now, so they'll either have to meet Baltimore's asking price or look elsewhere.

A scout tells Stark that some people in the Phils' organization like Jose Lopez "a lot."

The Phillies have never been overly interested in Garrett Atkins, and that hasn't changed now that he has become available.

I just refer to ESPN as NESN… They are basically the same thing, Pats will win the Super Bowl, Celts will win the Finals, and The Red Sox will win the World Series… There I just saved you a year of watching ESPN, I mean NESN lol…

So True. Jose has struggled this year but so has every Mariner. But that guy is a pull-PULL hitter and has 25 HR power IN SAFECO.

Every one of us up here in Seattle know that this is probably Jose’s last year as a Mariner. We also know if he goes to a hitters park he will probably hit 30+ HRs and bat .280-.300. Its going to suck …but what can you do.

Well, Kelly Johnson would look great at Citizens Bank ballpark, heck in that place he could hit 35 homers lol… It’s tailored for left handed pull hitters such as him, but I can’t see them trading for him. They will probably go for somebody more under the radar…

Right, because the M’s need to take on, at this point, a LAZY, glorified 4th outfielder, instead of a catcher that can hit. If you think the M’s need a player that is immediately ML ready, instead of a year from that like Ramos…well I’ll take 8 ounces of what you’re smoking. the M’s are still a year or so away from being ready, unless they get lucky and all their young talent comes up next year and produces.

And unless Mejia becomes involved in whatever the Mets are offering, the Twins offering Ramos is still the better deal.

Right, because the M’s need to take on, at this point, a LAZY, glorified 4th outfielder, instead of a catcher that can hit. If you think the M’s need a player that is immediately ML ready, instead of a year from that like Ramos…well I’ll take 8 ounces of what you’re smoking. the M’s are still a year or so away from being ready, unless they get lucky and all their young talent comes up next year and produces.

And unless Mejia becomes involved in whatever the Mets are offering, the Twins offering Ramos is still the better deal.

Lopez would probably hit a lot better in Philly. He won’t get on base too often but he’ll hit a few homers just over the left field fence. He’s been above average at third, and is still considered average to below average at second. Considering the M’s would take just about anything for him, I don’t see why this wouldn’t happen unless those people in the Phils’ organization are not too high on the totem pole. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he “breaks out” a bit in the NL, especially at Citizens. Unless NL pitchers realize that if you pitch it outside, and never throw a strike he’s as good as worthless.

I can’t imagine the M’s taking BJ Upton either. Michael Saunders looks to be nearly as valuable, not to mention cheaper. If they take an OF for Lee it’ll be a top prospect like Aaron Hicks. Right now Saunders looks to be the future LF in Seattle.

Upton is a 40SB with + Defense in CF. He was bad last year and this year hasn’t been spectacular. But he is 2 years removed from back to back 4 win seasons and the guy is 26 still and playing for peanuts.

Saunders doesn’t have nearly the upside of Upton or any success at the ML level. He’s young and he very well may develop into a good talent but honestly the two guys aren’t even close.

That’s the thing, though, dude. Two years removed. That’s a VERY long time in baseball. He strikes out far too much (K% stands at 27%), and you can only tolerate a player who hits so poorly for so long. Juan Pierre is a demon on the basepaths, but the general consensus is that he’s a fourth outfielder.

Sure – there is a chance that Saunders will turn out to be as good as Upton. The odds, however, are not in your favor. The fact is that Upton has produced better in the minors, majors, and has way more upside. A bad Upton is still better than anything we have seen out of Saunders. A good Upton is one of the best of players in baseball.

That’s the thing, though, dude. Two years removed. That’s a VERY long time in baseball. He strikes out far too much (K% stands at 27%), and you can only tolerate a player who hits so poorly for so long. Juan Pierre is a demon on the basepaths, but the general consensus is that he’s a fourth outfielder.

I think out of all the teams in on Lee, the reds could really make a push for him if they wanted. It hurts that it’s a short rental, but the reds have a number of young pitchers, and hitters that they could deal for Lee.

No way I want Justin Upton. He’s hitting what .220 this year. He’ll never be a star from here on out. In half a season Upton’s hit 7 homers while Michael Saunders has hit 7 homers in 35 games. Saunders is already better in what is his FIRST full season of baseball. Younger, cheaper, more upside, and currently is better. No need for Justin Upton.

Justin is hitting .266 with 14 Home Runs and 39 RBIs, 11 steals (but 5 CS), and is still playing good defense. Considering how unlucky he must be (.354 BABIP but only .266 to show for it?), he’ll be fine come season’s end.

I don’t mean to sound cross, but do some more homework next time before throwing numbers out there. Justin is above and beyond better than Michael Saunders.

Justin is hitting .266 with 14 Home Runs and 39 RBIs, 11 steals (but 5 CS), and is still playing good defense. Considering how unlucky he must be (.354 BABIP but only .266 to show for it?), he’ll be fine come season’s end.

I don’t mean to sound cross, but do some more homework next time before throwing numbers out there. Justin is above and beyond better than Michael Saunders.